Apple tree NJ109

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new cultivar of apple tree named `NJ109` which was created by crossing `Golden Delicious` (as the seed parent) with `NJ88` (as the pollen parent), and is characterized by its early ripening, attractive appearance, and very good dessert quality.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a new and distinct cultivar of apple tree that hasbeen given the variety name or denomination `NJ109`.

The new variety was discovered by applicants in September 1980, in thecourse of their work in connection with an ongoing breeding programseeking to develop improved early-maturing apple trees with improvedfruit quality.

The new cultivar `NJ109` is a seedling produced from crossing thecultivar `Golden Delicious` (an unpatented variety) as the seed parentand the selection `NJ88` (an unpatented variety) as the pollen parent.The cross was made in 1971 at the Horticulture Research Farm No. 2, NewBrunswick, N.J.

In 1972 the seedling was transplanted to Block D at the Rutgers FruitResearch and Development Center, Cream Ridge, N.J. In the above orchard,its position was Row 100, Tree 156, having the description D-100-156 inthe breeding records.

The new tree of this invention, `NJ109`, had as its seed parent thevariety `Golden Delicious`, and as its pollen parent `NJ88`. The pollenparent, which is no longer available, was a product of `GoldenDelicious` × `M2439`. The parentage of `M2439`, was `Crown PrinceRudolf` × `James Grieve`. All specimens of the pollen parent of `NJ109`have been destroyed, and notes to its characteristics are almostnonexistent.

In September 1980 after several years of observing the growth andcharacteristics of the seedlings under study at Cream Ridge, applicantsselected the cultivar now known as `NJ109` for further study and theyasexually propagated the cultivar by grafting it on M7a dwarfingrootstock. Subsequently, applicants determined that the grafted materialmaintained the desired and distinguishing characteristics afterpropagation over several generations.

The new cultivar produces a moderately vigorous, spreading tree. Fruitis numerous and borne uniformly throughout the tree canopy on shortaxillary branches. The tree flowers over a prolonged period with themajority of flowers opening a few days before the cultivar `GoldenDelicious`. The apple fruit is attractive and possesses a crisp texture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to support the disclosure herein, there is provided a drawingwherein

FIG. 1 shows a typical example of young tree of the new cultivarillustrating the growth habit thereof at or about the time when pickingwould normally be effected.

FIG. 2 shows a typical example of the apple fruit, seeds, and leavesproduced, disclosing the fruit's color, round-oblong shape, flesh color,and skin color, and the leaf and seed shape.

The accompanying drawings are color photographs of the actual fruit andtree.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

In order to describe the tree and fruit in particular detail, referenceis had to a color chart, known as The Horticultural Colour Chart issuedby The British Colour Council in collaboration with The RoyalHorticultural Society. Throughout this specification, color namesbeginning with a small letter signify that the name of the color, asused in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color means beginning witha capital letter designate color values based on The HorticulturalColour Chart.

Color was also measured in terms of its color space coordinates (L*a*b*)with a Minolta CR-300 Chroma Meter calibrated with a white calibrationplate.

Turning to a consideration of the details of this new cultivar `NJ109`,we note that the following description is a detailed description of thetree grown in South Central New Jersey and of the fruit producedthereby. It describes the principal distinctive characteristics andidentifying criteria by which the tree is recognized and the fruitproduced thereby can be distinguished from known apple tree varieties.It is believed that the tree grown under comparable conditions and thefruit thereof will closely conform to the description.

FLOWER

Petals: 2.9 cm (range 2.5-3.3 cm) in length and 1.9 cm (range 1.5-2.1cm) in width.

Corolla: 5.1 cm (range 4.6-5.6 cm) in diameter at near petal fall.

Color: Flower buds are Ruby Red to Magenta Rose between Plates 64a and64b; fading to white, open flowers.

Bloom Dates: Blooms between April and early May in South, Central NewJersey; flowers over a prolonged period, as compared to `GoldenDelicious`.

Pollinaton: Most apple trees which bloom mid-season are most probablyeffective pollinizers for `NJ109`.

FRUIT

Shape: Round-oblong; uniform.

Size: Axial diameter 7.1 cm (range 6.7-7.8 cm); transverse diameter 7.8cm (range 6.6-8.3 cm).

Color: Undercolor is Barium Yellow (between Plates 10b to 10c; L*=76.85a*=-8.71 b*=+43.27). A faint orange blush will develop on 0-25% ofexposed surfaces.

Skin: Smooth, with many small light brown dots (lenticels) distributedevenly on the fruit, very slightly raised; skin thickness medium-thin.

Stem: Length medium, 2.0 cm (range 1.8 to 2.3 cm), thickness medium tothick.

Cavity: Acuminate, very deep, medium in width, slight russet.

Basin: Deep, slightly furrowed, wide in breadth.

Calyx: Persistent, connivent (closed).

Calyx tube: Medium length and width, funnel shape.

Stamen remnants: Median.

Core: Median position.

Core lines: Clasping, distinct.

Carpels: Axile, open in cross section; obovate in longitudinal section.

Seeds:

Shape.--Acute, plump, not tufted.

Average number per fruit.--12.35.

Average length.--10.65 mm (0.43 in).

Average width at widest point.--4.13 mm (0.17 in).

Color (dry seed coat).--Beech Brown (Plate 165a)

Flesh:

Texture.--Medium, crisp, breaking.

Quality.--Sweet, mild subacid, very good dessert quality.

Color.--Naples yellow (Plate 11c).

Aroma.--Slight.

Maturity:

Time of ripening.--3-4 weeks before `Golden Delicious`; although fruitripens uniformly, it maintains firmness and texture, and consequentlycan be picked over an extended period (a single harvest may be all thatis necessary).

First picking date.--Aug. 21-30 in South, Central New Jersey.

Keeping quality: Average, retains quality and texture for at least 2months in refrigerated storage at 34° F.

Use: Early maturing, golden-type, dessert apple.

TREE

Tree: Moderately vigorous, spreading, very productive and producesannually. When grafted on M7a rootstock (a dwarfing rootstock) the treeis smaller and more precocious than when the tree is on its own rootsthat are nearly equivalent to "standard rootstock." Other than treesize, the fruit characteristics are maintained on the M7a rootstock.

LEAVES

Average size: Length 8.9 cm (range 7.7-11 cm); width 5.5 cm (range3.9-6.5 cm).

Length to width ratio: 1.6 (range 1.4 to 2.0).

Form: Ovate, apex acuminate to cuspidate, base obtuse.

Margin: Serrate with slightly rounded teeth.

Petiole: Average length 2.3 cm (range 2.1 to 2.7 cm).

Color: Leaf color is strongly influenced by the environment (time ofyear, nitrogen levels in the soil, rootstock, etc.) and develops variousshades of green.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct apple tree cultivar, substantially asherein shown and described.